DALLAS, Aug 12, 2003/ FW/ --- Outdoor lovers, there is something new for you! The first ever, 'convertible day hiker footwear' is being introduced at the Outdoor Retailers Summer Tradeshow in Salt Lake City, August 14th 2003.

A product by Blue Marble LLC, the shoe converts from one type of footwear to another. The unique patent-pending design consists of two parts: the "bootie" and the "sandal", which can be used separately or together.

The bootie is a thin slipper-like upper that is fully enclosed with its own thin rubber sole and comes in 3 styles: a high-top, a low-top and a slip-on.

By themselves the booties are best suited for campgrounds, light urban wear and indoors.

"I conceived of this idea while backpacking in Southeast Asia because my hiking boots took up so much space," says the president, Steven Hong. "When I looked around in stores, there was nothing quite like what I envisioned."

The sandal portion is a sport sandal with a rugged Vibram((TM)) outsole made for rough, varied terrain conditions for warmer climates. These two parts can be combined to create a whole new kind footwear.

For example, the high-top bootie strapped into one of these sandals can be used for rough varied terrains in colder climates as the bootie offers ankle support and protection from harsh elements while the sandal provides a sure grip on slippery surfaces.

This convertible system means that a hiker can save space and weight on a trip, requiring only one pair of footwear that can convert for multiple uses and conditions on a trip.

The product will be available in stores starting the spring of 2004 and the combination bootie and sandal will retail for about $150.

Further, Blue Marble is offering a unique incentive for early stage customers by enrolling them into Blue Marble's Founders Club, which offers members benefits such as complimentary products, the ability to contribute to the development of future products and an extended warranty on all products.

(Photo courtesy of Blue Marble via PRNewsFoto)